Liquid sample measurement device with removable lancet or biosensor

ABSTRACT

This liquid sample measurement device is provided with: a lancet mounting part to and from which a lancet device having a skin contact section for puncturing skin can be attached and detached; a sensor mounting part to which a biosensor, which is spotted with blood that comes out from the punctured skin, can be attached; and a measurement part that uses the biosensor attached to the sensor mounting part to measure the amounts of substances in the blood. The liquid sample measurement device includes a feature that makes it necessary to replace a lancet device that has been attached to the lance mounting part and has punctured skin, each time a lancet device is used to puncture skin.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of and claims priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 14/362,602 filed on Jun. 4, 2014, which is aNational Stage Application and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and35 U.S.C. § 365 of International Application PCT/JP2012/008311, with aninternational filing date of Dec. 26, 2012 which claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2011-283196 filed on Dec. 26, 2011. Theentire disclosures of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/362,602 InternationalApplication PCT/JP2012/008311 and Japanese Patent Application No.2011-283196 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid sample measurement devicewhich measures biological information such as blood glucoseconcentration and lactic acid value from living subjects.

BACKGROUND ART

An arrangement where a test strip port 101 and lancet device 102 areconfigured on a same end of a device main body 100, as shown in FIG. 13,is well known, as the liquid sample measurement device. The liquidsample measurement device does not force users to perform complicatedoperations, but enables the users to perform a one-hand operation.Further, because a puncturing process and a measuring process can beperformed closely, the liquid sample measurement device is characterizedin realizing a small movement by the users (for example, see PatentLiterature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication(Translation of PCT Application) No. 2007-532266).

On the other hand, in medical institutions, disposal lancet devices areoften used for puncturing in order to prevent blood infection. Thedisposal lancet devices cannot be reused after puncturing and aredisposed (for example, see Patent Literature 2: Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No.2005-518858 and Patent Literature 3: Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No.2010-524558).

Also, puncturing needle cartridges which are equipped to devices forpuncturing have been disclosed. The puncturing needle cartridges havestructures not allowing it to be reused after puncturing, and aredisposed (for example, see Patent Literature 4: International PatentApplication Publication No. WO/2006/118224).

The above mentioned conventional liquid sample measurement device isarranged such that a depth controlling structure 103 of a lancet device102 makes contact with a skin surface.

The present invention is presented in considering the above mentionedproblems, and has objective to provide a liquid sample measurementdevice having an element being replaceable, at which liquid sample suchas blood of a living subject adheres.

SUMMARY

A liquid sample measurement device of the present arrangement includes alancet wearing part to which a lancet device is attachable, the lancetdevice including a skin contacting part for puncturing a skin; a sensorwearing part to which a biosensor is detachable, the biosensor on whichblood from the skin by puncturing is deposited; a measuring sectionwhich measures an amount of a substance in the blood by using thebiosensor being attached to the sensor wearing part. Each time when thelancet device performs to puncture the skin, it is needed to replace thelancet device which is attached to the lancet wearing part and which haspunctured the skin.

According to the above mentioned liquid sample measurement device,because an element at which the blood of a living subject adheres iseasily replaced, safety is enhanced while convenience is enhanced.Further, according to the liquid sample measurement device, replacementof the element at which a liquid sample such as the blood of the livingsubject adheres can be encouraged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are view showing a configuration of a liquid samplemeasurement device of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A isa front view, FIG. 1B is a side view, and FIG. 1C is a lower side view;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the liquid sample measurement device with abiosensor and a lancet device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the biosensor;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a sectional view of the lancet device, FIG. 4A is asectional view showing an embodiment as an example, and FIG. 4B is asectional view showing a different embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the liquid sample measurement device;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing movements of the liquid sample measurementdevice;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the liquid sample measurement deviceof a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an arrangement of the liquid sample measurementdevice of a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the same liquid sample measurementdevice;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing movements of the same liquid samplemeasurement device;

FIG. 11 is a view showing an arrangement of the liquid samplemeasurement device of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a diagonal view showing a puncturing needle cartridge, andFIG. 12B is a block diagram showing relationship of a lancet wearingpart configured on a device main body with peripheral elements;

FIG. 13 is a view showing an arrangement of a conventional liquid samplemeasurement device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the liquid sample measurement device towhich the present invention is applied are described with reference tothe drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1A to 1C are the view showing the arrangement of liquid samplemeasurement device of a first embodiment. FIG. 1A is the front view ofthe device main body 1. FIG. 1B is the side view of the device main body1. FIG. 1C is the lower side view of the device main body 1. As shown inFIGS. 1A to 1C, on a front side of the device main body 1, a displaysection 2 and an input section 3 are configured. On a back side of thedevice main body 1, a finger position part 4 on which a user put afinger when holding the device main body 1 is configured. On a lowerside of the device main body 1, a sensor wearing part 5 and a lancetwearing part 6 are configured. As shown in FIG. 2, a biosensor 7 whichis disposable is equipped on the sensor wearing part 5. A lancet device8 which is disposable is equipped on the lancet wearing part 6.

The biosensor 7 and lancet device 8 are disposable elements which arerequired to be replaced after the user uses them one time. These twoelements are manually equipped on the device main body 1 by the user.Also, these two elements are detached from the device main body 1 by theuser.

The sensor wearing part 5 includes an arrangement which the biosensor 7on which blood from a skin by puncturing is deposited can be equipped.The sensor wearing part 5 has an opening which extends to an inner sideof the device main body 1 to accommodate the biosensor 7. The openinghas an inner diameter being equal to or slightly larger than an outerdiameter of the biosensor 7. The opening has a shape through which apart of the biosensor 7 can pass.

An end of the biosensor 7 which is inserted to the sensor wearing part 5is sustained by a connector 5 a which constitutes a part of the sensorwearing part 5. At this time, an opposite end (the other end) to the endsustained by the connector 5 a sticks out of the device main body 1. Inthis state, the blood is deposited on the other end of the biosensor 7.When the biosensor 7 is disposed, the user holds the biosensor 7 andseparates from the device main body 1 by pulling out of the sensorwearing part 5.

The lancet wearing part 6 includes an arrangement where the lancetdevice 8 including a skin contacting part for puncturing the skin isdetachable. The lancet wearing part 6 is concaved in a direction towardsthe inner side of the device main body 1 for accommodating the lancetdevice 8. The concave has a shape to accommodate a first body 8 a of thelancet device 8. This concave has an inner diameter being equal to orslightly larger than an outer diameter of the first body 8 a.

The lancet device 8 is in a state where the lancet wearing part 6 isinserted and the end of the first body 8 a is in contact with a bottompart of the concave. In this state, per the lancet device 8, a peripheryof the first body 8 a is sustained by an engaging part, such as arubber, which is configured on an inner wall of the concave. At thistime, the opposite side of the first body 8 a sticks out of the devicemain body 1. Further, the lancet device 8 includes a second body 8 b onthe tip of the first body 8 a. Puncturing is performed by contacting atip of the second body 8 b to the skin. When the lancet device 8 isdisposed, the user holes the lancet device 8 and easily separates fromthe device main body 1 by pulling out of the lancet wearing part 6.

With the liquid sample measurement device, the biosensor 7 and thelancet device 8 as elements on which the blood adheres can be easilyreplaced by arranging in the way mentioned above. Therefore, theconvenience is enhanced because measuring is continuously performed on aplurality of the subjects by replacing continuously the disposableelements.

It is fine that a cover which is transparent or translucent to cover anopening part of the concave of the lancet wearing part 6. The cover isdetachable equipped with the device main body 1. It is fine that thecover covers at least the opening part of the concave. For example, thecover can entirely cover the device main body 1. Also, the cover cancover from a side surface having the lancet wearing part 6 to the inputsection 3. Further, the cover can cover only the side surface having thelancet wearing part 6. This cover is made of an elastic material such asrubber. When the lancet device 8 is not equipped on the device main body1, the cover covers the opening part of the lancet wearing part 6. Thelancet device 8 is equipped; this cover is pushed to extend towards theinner side of the concave. A part of this concave which is pushed toextend is between the inner wall of the concave and the lancet device 8,and functions as the engaging part.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor wearing part 5 and the lancetwearing part 6 are configured such that the biosensor 7 and the lancetdevice 8 are configured adjacent to each other on the same side. Inother words, a place for puncturing the skin and a place at which theblood is deposited are closely located in the liquid sample measurementdevice. This allows the user to puncture the skin by the lancet device 8and spot the blood to the biosensor 7 smoothly with little movement in ashort period of time.

By the way, the locations of the sensor wearing part 5 and the lancetwearing part 6 are not limited to a horizontal alignment as shown inFIGS. 1A to 1C. The locations of the sensor wearing part 5 and thelancet wearing part 6 can be a vertical alignment or a diagonalalignment, as long as on the same side surface.

For example, when the user is a nurse who measures blood of a patient,the user holds by one hand the device main body 1, and holds a finger ofthe patient by the other hand. Then, after puncturing by nearing thedevice main body 1 to the finger of the patient, the user lightlysqueezes the blood by the hand holding the finger of the patient, whilethe device main body 1 stays in the same place. Then, depositing theblood can be performed by sliding the device main body 1 to locate thebiosensor 7 at the place where the blood from the finger of the patientis squeezed.

Further, the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 are closely configuredon the same side surface, and are equipped to stick out from the devicemain body 1. By this, it has an effect in reducing a chance of the bloodsqueezed from the skin by puncturing to be deposited by mistake on thedevice main body 1.

At this time, relationship of length for which the biosensor 7 and thelancet device 8 stick out of the device mail body is regulated, asfollows. Namely, it is preferable that the tip of the biosensor sticksout longer than the tip of the lancet device 8. This is related to amethod for puncturing of the lancet device 8 being disposable.

It will be discussed later, but puncturing is performed by urging a mainbody of the lancet device 8 onto the skin. It is same even when thelancet device 8 is equipped on the device main body 1. Thus, the userperforms moving the lower surface of the device main body 1 in a statein which the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 are equipped towardsthe subject for puncturing.

At this time, the lancet device 8 is shorter because the second body 8 bis slid into the first body 8 a. For this reason, if the tip of thebiosensor 7 exists closer to the skin side than the first body 8 a, thebiosensor 7 will collides with the skin strongly with momentum ofpuncturing and it will be possible that the biosensor 7 is damaged.Accordingly, the relationship in sticking out is defined.

However, when the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 equipped on thedevice main body 1 are located with ample distance there between, it isfine that the tip of the biosensor sticks out longer than the tip of thefirst body 8 a of the lancet device 8. For example, when collectingblood of the tip of the finger by puncturing by using the lancet device8 while stretching out the finger, it is fine as long as the biosensor 7equipped on the device main body is apart for a size of one finger fromthe lancet device 8. By this, it is possible to avoid the collision ofthe biosensor to the finger of the patient when puncturing.

Next, the finger position part 4, as shown in FIG. 4B will be described.As shown in the figure, the finger position part 4 has a large shape ofa basin towards the side of the lancet wearing part 6 of the device mainbody 1. By this, the finger position part 4 is shaped to receive a forcetowards the lancet wearing part 6. When the user holds the device mainbody 1, the user put the finger on the finger position part 4. When theuser performs puncturing, the force is transmitted to the device mainbody 1 as the finger catches the basin.

Next, the biosensor which is disposable and equipped to the liquidsample measurement device is described by referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 isan exploded diagrammatic view showing the biosensor 7 equipped to thesensor wearing part 5 of the device main body 1.

The biosensor 7 includes an insulated substrate 11 (hereinafter simply“substrate 11”) made of polyethylene terephthalate or the like. Asurface of the substrate 11 has a conductive layer. The conductive layeris made, for example, of noble metal, such as gold, and palladium, orconductive material, such as carbon and the like. Also, the biosensor 7includes an insulated substrate 12 on an upper surface thereof. Thesubstrate 12 has an air opening 13 at a center part thereof. Between thesubstrate 11 and the substrate 12, a spacer 14 including a notch part isinserted. The biosensor 7 is made integrally of the substrate 11, thespacer 14, and the substrate 12.

A counter electrode 17, a measurement electrode 18, and a detectionelectrode 19 are formed by the conductive layer on the substrate 11which is divided by slits. Each of the electrodes 17, 18, and 19 are atleast partially formed on the substrate 11. Also, each of the electrodes17, 18, and 19 can be connected by lead wire to the liquid samplemeasurement device, in a state where the biosensor 7 is equipped on thedevice main body 1.

The spacer 14 is configured to cover the counter electrode 17, themeasurement electrode 18, and the detection electrode 19 on thesubstrate 11. A sample supply route 15 is formed by a notch part whichis rectangular and which is on a front edge and a center of the spacer14. Also, sample liquid on a sample depositing part 15 a of the samplesupply route is suctioned towards an air opening 13 of the substrate 12(in a direction of an arrow AR in FIG. 3).

The reagent layer 16 has a size and a shape to cover the counterelectrode 17, the measurement electrode 18, and the detection electrode19 which are exposed from the notch part of the spacer 14.

Oxidation reduction enzyme and electron acceptor are included in thereagent layer 16. The oxidation reduction enzyme and the electronacceptor are dissolved and react with the liquid sample (in the presentembodiment, blood from a human body) which is suctioned by the samplesupply route 15. After the reaction, the liquid sample measurementdevice electrochemically oxidizes the electron acceptor, which has beenreduced. The liquid sample measuring device measures the biologicalinformation (in the present embodiment, the blood glucose concentrationin the blood) in the liquid sample on the basis of the electric currentobtained by the oxidation. This chain of the reaction is read byelectric current with the electrochemical changes by the measurementelectrode 18 and the detection electrode 19.

Also, an identifying part 20 is a member which identifies differences inoutput characteristic depending on kinds and production lot of thebiosensor 7 by the device main body 1. A combination of slit 21 g and aslit 21 h are configured at a part corresponding to the identifying part20 of the counter electrode 17 and the detection electrode 19. By this,the device main body 1 can identify the difference of the electricaloutput characteristic of the biosensor 7.

The counter electrode 17, the measurement electrode 18, the counterelectrode 17, and detection electrode 19 are arranged in the order fromthe sample depositing part 15 a in the flow direction of the liquidsample (arrow AR) on the substrate of the biosensor 7. The configurationof the counter electrode 17 and the measurement electrode 18 can beswitched.

Also, there is a prescribed distance between the measurement electrode18 and the detection electrode 19 in the direction of the liquid sampleflowing. By this, the detection electrode 19 can identify whether or notthe liquid sample is surely and adequately suctioned.

Next, the lancet device 8 which is equipped on the liquid samplemeasurement device is described by referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4Ais a sectional view of the lancet device 8 which is equipped on thelancet wearing part 6 of the main body 1. The lancet device 8 itself iscategorized as a disposable type, as the user can use for puncturing.

As described above, according to Patent Literature 2, of the lancetdevice 8, a wing 33 of a piston 26 is on an upper edge 34 of a sleeve 22(the second body 8 b) by urging of a drive spring 31. In this way, thepiston 26 having a puncturing chip 29 is kept at a still position.

When the user locates the end of the second body 8 b on the subject forpuncturing, and pushes a push element 23 (the first body 8 a) to thesubject for puncturing, a drive spring 31 is compressed until asurface-in-use 30 of the push element 23 abuts a push rod 27 of thepiston 26. When the push element 23 is further compressed, the wing 33of the piston 26 is broken. Then, a fin 28 of the piston 26 is incontact with an internal limiting part 35 which limits depth ofpuncturing. In this state, the puncturing chip 29 passes through anopening 25 of a cap 24. By this, the puncturing chip 29 comes down to aprescribed depth defined by a thickness of the cap 24, and punctures theskin. In other words, puncturing is performed by locating the cap 24 onthe skin and pushing from the other side towards the skin. Therefore,the cap 24 is a skin contact part which is arranged to be contact with aplace for puncturing.

Next, a returning spring 32 pulls back the piston 26 which includes thepuncturing chip 29. And then, the piston 26 moves to a second stillposition which is in the sleeve 22. The lancet device 8 cannot bereused, after the wing 33 of the piston 26 is broken.

FIG. 4B shows a convex belt 23 a configured around the push element 23of the lancet device 8. The convex belt 23 a is used for holding morestrongly, when the lancet device 8 is equipped on the lancet wearingpart 6. In corresponding to the lancet device 8, it is fine to include aconvex part or a concave part, which is engaged with the convex belt 23a, on an inner wall of a concave of the lancet wearing part 6.

Next, constituent elements of the liquid sample measurement device isdescribed by referring to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing theliquid sample measurement device. As shown in FIG. 5, in the device mainbody 1, the sensor wearing part 5, the lancet wearing part 6, ameasuring section 36, a controller 37, the display section 2, the inputsection 3, a communication section 38, and a recording section 39 areconfigured.

Further, in the sensor wearing part 5, the connector 5 a, and the sensorwearing detecting section 5 b are configured. The connector 5 a isconnectable to the counter electrode 17, the measurement electrode 18,and the detection electrode 19 of the biosensor 7, when the biosensor 7is equipped. The sensor wearing detecting section 5 b detects whether ornot the biosensor 7 is equipped on the sensor wearing part 5.

Instead of the sensor wearing detecting section 5 b, it is fine todetect whether or not the biosensor 7 is equipped on the sensor wearingpart 5 by a connection of the connector 5 a to the biosensor 7.

Also, a lancet wearing detecting section 6 a is configured in the lancetwearing part 6 to detect whether or not the lancet device 8 is equipped.

The measuring section 36 detects blood glucose concentration of theblood which is deposited on the biosensor 7 equipped on the lancetwearing part 6 in response to an instruction from the controller 37. Forexample, when the blood is deposited on the biosensor 7, electricvoltage or electric current is applied to each of the electrodes of thebiosensor 7 via the connector 5 a. The measuring section 36 measures theblood glucose concentration in the blood from electric voltage orelectric current as a response of the application of the electricvoltage.

The controller 37 controls the liquid sample measurement deviceentirely. Specifically, information is input to the controller 37 fromthe sensor wearing detecting section 5 b, the lancet wearing detectingsection 6 a, and the measuring section 36. The controller 37 instructsthe measuring section 36 and the display section 2, and thecommunication section 38, on the basis of the input information.

The display section 2 works in response to the instruction from thecontroller 37. The display section 2 displays the blood glucoseconcentration as the biological information measured by the measuringsection 36. Also, the display section 2 also displays variousinformation for the user.

The input section 3 is a device to which information such as aninstruction of how to perform and identification number is input. Theinput section 3, for example, is a button configured on the device mainbody 1. Alternatively, the input section 3 is an optical reading devicesuch as a barcode reader. Alternatively, the input section 3 can be aninput by wireless communication or voice recognition such as RF-ID. Theinput section 3 of the present embodiment is equipped with a pluralityof devices. Also, the information input to the input section 3 istransmitted to the controller 37.

The communication section 38 performs data transmission and receptionwith other devices, such as personal computers, by receiving theinstruction from the controller 37, by using the wireless or the wiredcommunication means. For example, the communication section 38 transmitsto other devices the identification number input to the input section 3and the blood glucose concentration measured by the measuring section36. Also, the communication section 38 receives a list of theidentification number from other devices.

The recording section 39 receives the measurement result transmittedfrom the measuring section 36, the information input by the inputsection 3, the information received by the communication section 38, andthe like via the controller 37, and records. The recording and playingthe data to the recording section 39 is controlled by the controller 37.

The sensor wearing detecting section 5 b and the lancet wearingdetecting section 6 a, when detecting that the biosensor 7 and thelancet device 8 are equipped respectively, transmit to the controller37. Detection means of equipping is, for example, an electrical switchwhich is mechanical and detects equipping by conduction of theelectrical switch made by being pushed while the object is equipped. Thedetection means of equipping can be any means, as long as the meansdetects existence of the object and transmits, such as an opticalsensor.

The liquid sample measurement device like this includes arrangement,which requires the lancet device equipped to the lancet wearing part 6and performing puncturing the skin, to be replaced after each time whenpuncturing the skin by the lancet device 8 is performed. Thearrangement, as discussed hereinafter, includes not performing the nextmeasuring, until the lancet device 8 is replaced after the measuringsection 36 measures. Also, the arrangement includes not recording themeasured result to the recording section 39, until the lancet device 8and the biosensor 7 are replaced. The arrangement includes displaying onthe display section 2 the measurement result and information persuadingreplacing the lancet device 8 and the biosensor 7, and keeps displayingthese information until the lancet device 8 and the biosensor 7 arereplaced.

Next, the movement of the liquid sample measurement device, as arrangedin a way described above, is described by referring to a flowchart ofFIG. 6.

In step S1, the liquid sample measurement device starts processingmeasuring the blood glucose concentration in response to the operationof the user. For example, the process of measuring starts, when the userselects a menu of measuring the blood glucose concentration from a listof menu displayed on the display section 2 by using the input section.

In step S2, the controller 37 processes identifying variousidentification. Here, the various identification includes three itemswhich are user (measuring person) identification, patient (person to bemeasured) identification, and sensor (biosensor) identification. Byidentifying the various identification, the liquid sample measurementdevice can record “who”, “whom”, “by which biosensor”, and “when”measures.

An example in which a barcode reader is equipped as the input section 3for processing identifying the various identification is described. Bythe way, it is fine to employ the RF-ID as the input section 3 to readthe various identification by close distance wireless communication. Forexample, when a chip for the RF-ID is enclosed in a name plate of theuser or a bottle in which the biosensor 7 is enclosed, the process ofidentifying the various identification by reading it can be performed.

First, when the user selects starting measuring the blood glucoseconcentration at the step S1, the display section 2 displays theinstruction of reading the user identification. The user reads by usingthe barcode reader the barcode which is printed on the name plate and inwhich his/her information is recorded. The information of the user readby the barcode reader is transmitted to the controller 37.

The controller 37 reads from a list in which the information of the useris stored from the recording section 39. The controller 37 confirmswhether or not the information of the user is included in the list inwhich the information of the user is stored. At this time, thecontroller 37 communicates with a server outside, when the informationof the user is not included in the list. Then, the controller 37confirms whether or not the information of the user exists in theserver.

Here, for example, the server outside can be a computer whichadministrates users at each medical department at a hospital, or can bea server that administrates the users in the hospital entirely. Otherthan that, the server outside can be in any style as long as handlingthe information of the user, such as a server administrating the userwho measures in medical institutions.

When the information of the user input by the input section 3 matchesthe information of the user stored in the recording section 39 or in theserver, the user identification is identified to proceed to the nextidentification. At this time, when the user identification is identifiedby communicating with the server outside, the communication section 38received the information of the user from the server, and theinformation is added to the list of the recording section 39 by thecontroller 37.

On the other hand, when the information matching the information of theuser input by the input section 3 does not exist in both the recordingsection 39 and the server outside, the display section 2 displays awarning that the information of the user is wrong or that the user doesnot have authorization to measure. Then, it is prohibited fromproceeding to a next process thereafter.

When the user identification goes through in a normal way, thecontroller 37 identifies the sensor identification next. Identifying thesensor identification is performed by reading enclosing material such asa bottle in which the biosensor is enclosed, or the barcode which isprinted on the biosensor itself.

As the user identification, identifying the sensor identification havingbeen read is performed by confirming whether or not matching withinformation (sensor identification) in a list prepared in the recordingsection 39, or the server outside. Further, for the biosensor 7 which isconfirmed to match, the biosensor is confirmed whether or not a periodof use thereof exceeds, by the controller 37 using the sensoridentification. Further, at this time, it is fine that the controller 37confirms whether or not there is recall information regarding the periodof use and the like for the biosensor 7 having been identified, byinquiring the server outside via the communication section 38.

When the biosensor 7 is confirmed to be valid for measuring byidentifying the sensor identification, it proceeds to identifyingpatient identification next. On the other hand, when the information ofthe biosensor 7 is missing, or when the biosensor is identified to beinvalid for measuring, the controller 37 displays a warning to use adifferent biosensor 7 by the display section 2. The controller 37 renewsthe list of the recording section 39, when receiving new informationfrom the server outside with regards to the sensor identification havingbeen read.

It is fine that the controller 37 encourages the user to confirm byshowing the nitrification result by the display section 2 each time whenidentifying these identifications is completed. It is fine that thedisplay section 2 switches displaying each time identifying theidentification, or the display section 2 displays all together in line.

When identifying the user identification and the sensor identificationis completed in a normal way, the user is prepared. With the preparationup to here, identifying the biosensor 7 is completed for one user usingone lot of the biosensor 7. One lot of the biosensor 7 shows, forexample, a plurality of sheets of the biosensor 7 enclosed in thebottle, the same characteristic, and the same production data.

For example, it is possible for a nurse to measure continuously theblood glucose concentration of a plurality of patients in a room of ahospital. Also, there is a case in which measuring for the plurality ofpatients continuously by changing the biosensor 7 enclosed in the samebiosensor 7. In these ways, it is possible for the liquid samplemeasurement device to identify the patient identification, afteridentifying the user identification and the sensor identification onceand omitting identifying thereafter.

In this case, it is possible to make the user identification and thesensor identification having been identified to be valid for aprescribed period of time. In other words, the prescribed period of timeelapses after identifying the user identification and the sensoridentification is completed, measuring can not performed without theuser identification and the sensor identification are identified again.The prescribed period of time is preset by the user, a partadministrating the liquid sample measurement device, or the like.

After identifying the user identification and the sensor identificationis completed or selecting continuous measuring, which is describedhereinafter, the display section 2 displays an instruction of readingthe patient identification. Thereafter, it process to a patient's(subject person) preparation.

The user uses the barcode reader as the input section 3 to read thebarcode indicating particular information of the patient. The barcode isprinted on a strap worn by the patient (subject person) around a wristor the like, the patient name plate configured at a bedside of thepatient, or a medical chart or the like given to the patient.

The controller 37 reads out a patient table from the recording section39. The controller 37 confirms whether or not the information of thepatient, which is read by the barcode, in the patient table which isread. When the information of the patient is not included, thecontroller 37 forms a recording area for the patient newly read from thepatient table, and is prepared to record the measured value of the bloodglucose concentration. After the preparation is completed, thecontroller 37 makes the display section 2 to display encouraging wearingthe biosensor 7 on the sensor wearing part 5, and the proceeds to thenext step.

At step S3, the liquid sample measurement device confirms whether or notthe biosensor 7 is equipped. When the sensor wearing detecting section 5b detects that the biosensor 7 is equipped on the sensor wearing part 5,the detection result is transmitted to the controller 37. In response tothis, the controller 37 displays this thing on the display section 2. Atthis time, it is fine that the user confirms by seeing or the likevalidity of the biosensor 7 again by displaying the information of thebiosensor 7 extracted in identifying the sensor identification at stepS2.

At step S4, the liquid sample measurement device confirms whether or notthe lancet device 8 is equipped. The controller 37 inquires whether ornot the lancet device 8 is equipped, after detecting that the biosensor7 is equipped. The lancet wearing detecting section 6 a confirms whetheror not the lancet device is equipped on the lancet wearing part 6, andtransmits the result to the controller 37.

When the lancet device is not equipped, detecting by the lancet wearingdetecting section 6 a is continuously performed until step S6. When thelancet device 8 is detected to be equipped during step S8, a notice issent to the controller 37 as an interrupting signal.

Subsequently, the controller 37 instructs the measuring section 36 tomeasure the blood glucose concentration in step S5. The measuringsection 36 applies electric voltage on the connector 5 a, and startsmonitoring response electric current. Then, a state of holding measuringis maintained, until a fact that the blood is deposited on the biosensor7 is electrically detected via the connector 5 a by it.

At the same time, on the basis of the result for the inquiry to thelancet wearing detecting section 6 a at step S4, the controller 37 makesthe display section 2 display, as follows.

When the lancet device 8 is detected to be equipped by the lancetwearing detecting section 6 a, the display section 2 displays performingpuncturing by the lancet device 8 having being equipped, and depositingthe blood having been squeezed on the biosensor 7.

When the lancet device 8 is detected to be not equipped by the lancetwearing detecting section 6 a, the display section 2 displays performingpuncturing by a different lancet device 8, and thereafter displaysdepositing the blood having been squeezed on the biosensor 7. If, whiledisplaying this, the notice by the interrupting signal from the lancetwearing detecting section 6 a which is mentioned above is sent, it isswitched to display performing puncturing by the lancet device 8 havingbeen equipped.

At step S6, the liquid sample measurement device measures the bloodglucose concentration. The measuring section 36 applies the electricvoltage to the connector 5 a from getting into the state of holding ofstep S5. After the blood is deposited on the sample depositing part 15 aof the biosensor 7 reaches the detection electrode 19, the blood glucoseconcentration in the blood is measured by a measuring algorithm which isprescribed. Then, when measuring is completed, the measuring section 36transmits the result of measuring the blood glucose concentration to thecontroller 37.

At step S7, the controller 37 makes the display section 2 display theblood glucose concentration which has been measured. Then, thecontroller 37 makes the display section 2 display instructing removingthe biosensor, as the disposable element on which the blood isdeposited, and display instructing disposing.

Moreover, when the lancet device 8 is detected to be equipped at stepS4, the controller 37 makes the display section 2 display encouragingremoving the lancet device 8.

When a prescribed period of time has elapses (for example, 1 minute)after displaying at step S7, the controller 37 inquires the sensorwearing detecting section 5 b whether or not the biosensor 7 is removed(step S8). Further, when the lancet device 8 is detected to be equippedat step S4, the controller 37 inquires the lancet wearing detectingsection 6 a whether or not the lancet device 8 is removed.

When either the biosensor 7 or the lancet device 8 is not removed, itproceeds to step S9 to display encouraging removing by the displaysection 2. And it proceeds to step S8 again.

By this, the controller 37 makes the display section 2, which displaythe result of measuring by the measuring section 36, display the resultof measuring the blood glucose concentration and display encouragingreplacing the lancet device 8 and the biosensor 7.

Both the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 are removed, not equipped,it proceeds to step S10.

Step S10 is a step in which the controller 37 records in the recordingsection 39 the blood glucose concentration which has been measured atstep S6 and to which the user add various information by associates tothe blood glucose concentration. At step S8, after detecting thebiosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 are removed, the display section 2displays again the information of the patient, the result of measuringthe blood glucose concentration, and the time of measuring, and displaysencouraging the user to confirm.

The display section 2 displays a list of various information which canbe associated with the result of measuring the blood glucoseconcentration. By this, the user can select the various information tobe associated by using buttons on the input section 3. The variousinformation is information with regards to lifestyle habits of thepatient which is associated with the blood glucose concentration beforemeal, after meal, of before sleep for example. Other various informationcan be information by which the user (nurse) confirms a state of thepatient, such as medication, medical examination, and other vitalinformation. Further, other various information can be information whichother engaged persons including doctors can share. Moreover, other thandisplaying the list, the display section 2 displays things that the userinputs by using the input section 3.

As described above, the controller 37 recognizes the user identificationand the sensor identification which have been identified at step S2 asthe added information, with respect to the information in which thepatient and the result of measuring the blood glucose concentration areassociated with the various information. Such information is recorded asthe result of measuring in a recording area of the recording section 39corresponding to the patient identification.

At step S11, the chain of processing in measuring the blood glucoseconcentration, which starts in step S1, ends. Here, it possible toselect one of continuing or ending measuring the blood glucoseconcentration. When continuing measuring the blood glucose concentrationis selected, it proceeds to identifying in step S2. At this time, it ispossible to select one of identifying both the sensor identification andthe patient identification and identifying (continuously identifying)only the patient identification. Therefore, in step S2, whether or notomitting identifying the sensor identification is displayed onlyproceeding from step S11, and user can select.

In this regards, the user has to identify the sensor identification inthe cases, as follows. For example, it can be a case in which thebiosensor 7 which is used for measuring the blood glucose concentrationnext time is enclosed in a different bottle from the bottle used in aprevious time. Also, it can be a case in which it is necessary to readthe sensor identification to confirm the biosensor 7. Further, it can bea case in which the biosensor 7 itself is determined to read the sensoridentification one by one.

When ending measuring the blood glucose concentration is selected, it ispossible to select transmitting the result of measuring recorded in therecording section 39 to other devices such as the server outside via thecommunication section 38. At this time, it is possible that thecontroller 37 transmits from the communication section 38 not just theresult of measuring last time, but the results of measuring in the past.

When transmitting is completed, the liquid sample measurement devicegoes back to the normal menu before starting measuring the blood glucoseconcentration at step S1, and waits for the user instructing.Alternatively, the liquid sample measurement device intends to reducepower consumption by performing the minimum functions, and proceeds to asleep mode as it is.

Selecting each process in Step S11 is performed interactively by thecontroller 37 which controls the display section 2 and the input section3.

As shown in the chain of the process, the liquid sample measurementdevice prohibits from proceeding to the next step unless the userremoves the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 each time when the bloodglucose concentration is measured.

Moreover, a disposable type of the lancet device 8 is used forpuncturing. By this, the liquid sample measurement device cannot measurethe blood glucose concentration next time by equipping again the lancetdevice 8 which has been used once. For this reason, the liquid samplemeasurement device makes it possible to replace the part, which isarranged to be in contact with the skin of the measuring subject person,each time when used. The liquid sample measurement device includes anarrangement which requires replacing the lancet device 8 which isequipped on the lancet wearing part 6 each time puncturing is performedand after used for puncturing the skin. Thus, according to the liquidsample measurement device, it is possible to encourage replacing thelancet device 8 as the element on which the liquid sample such as theblood or the like of the living subject is deposited.

Also, of the liquid sample measurement device, the controller 37controls the measuring section 36. The controller 37 controls themeasuring section 36 not to perform measuring for the next time untilthe lancet device 8 is replaced after the measuring section 36 measures.Therefore, according to the liquid sample measurement device, it ispossible to replace the lancet device 8 as the element on which theliquid sample such as the blood or the like of the living subject.

Likewise, the liquid sample measurement device cannot measure the bloodglucose concentration for the next time with the biosensor 7 equippedthereon which has been used once. Therefore, the liquid samplemeasurement device makes the part, which is arranged to be contact withthe subject person, replaced certainly when used once. The liquid samplemeasurement device like this includes an arrangement which requiresreplacing the biosensor 7 which is equipped on the device main body 1each time puncturing is performed and after used for puncturing theskin. Thus, the liquid sample measurement device encourages replacingthe biosensor 7 as the element on which the liquid sample such as theblood or the like of the living subject is deposited.

Further, the liquid sample measurement device cannot record with thebiosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 being equipped thereon which havebeen used once. For this reason, the liquid sample measurement devicemakes it possible to replace the part, which is arranged to be incontact with the skin of the measuring subject person, each time whenused. The liquid sample measurement device like this includes anarrangement which requires replacing the biosensor 7 and the lancetdevice 8 each time puncturing is performed and after used for puncturingthe skin. Thus, according to the liquid sample measurement device, it ispossible to replace the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 as theelements on which the liquid sample such as the blood or the like of theliving subject is deposited.

As mentioned above, according to the liquid sample measurement device,in an arrangement in which the element on which the blood is depositedis replaceable, it is possible to render the user to replace. As aresult, contamination and infection by the blood being deposited areprevented.

Also, by equipping the lancet device 8 to the liquid sample measurementdevice, it is possible to decrease shaking when puncturing and todecrease pain of the user more than by using a very small lancet device8 alone. In other words, when it is difficult to hold by hand the verysmall lancet device 8, equipping the lancet device on the relativelylarger lancet device 8 makes it possible to hold firmly. Thus, since itis easier to handle the lancet device 8 and to be held stably by hand,shaking and fluctuation less likely happen. As a result, since thevibration on the puncturing needle becomes small by decreasing thevibration of the lancet device 8 when puncturing, the pain caused by thefluctuation of the puncturing needle is decreased.

As mentioned above, according to the liquid sample measurement device ofthe present embodiment, since it is easy to replace the biosensor 7 andthe lancet device 8 which is disposable, the convenience is enhancedwhen replacing the element on which the blood is deposited.

Further, the liquid sample measurement device cannot measure newly theblood glucose concentration unless the element such as the biosensor 7and the lancet device 8 on which the blood is deposited is replaced. Forthis reason, it is possible to contribute in preventing the infection bythe deposited blood.

Additionally, according to the liquid sample measurement device, itresults in decreasing the vibration when puncturing and decreasingburden of the user.

Further, a spring for puncturing as an element which wears much is thatof the lancet device 8 which is deposable. By this, the liquid samplemeasurement device does not have to fix the spring for puncturing withinthe device main body 1. By this, since considering deterioration of thespring for puncturing because of multiple use of the spring forpuncturing is not necessary, the liquid sample measurement device hasmerits of making the maintenance easy.

Further, according to the liquid sample measurement device, the resultof measuring the blood glucose concentration and encouragement ofreplacing the lancet device 8 and the biosensor 7 are displayed and keptdisplaying until replacing. Therefore, according to the liquid samplemeasurement device, it is possible to encourage replacing the biosensor7 and the lancet device 8 as the elements on which the liquid samplesuch as the blood or the like of the living subject.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described byreferring to the figures. For an ejecting mechanism of the biosensor 7and the lancet device 8 configured within the liquid sample measurementdevice, it is different from the liquid sample measurement device of thefirst embodiment. By the way, for the liquid sample measurement deviceas in the second embodiment, the same configuration and movement as inthe first embodiment is omitted by using the same symbols.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram which shown the liquid sample measurementdevice of the present embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 isdifferent in that a sensor ejecting part 41 a is configured on a sensorwearing part 41, and a lancet ejecting part 42 a is configured on alancet wearing part 42.

The sensor ejecting part 41 a is a sensor ejecting mechanism whichpushes out the biosensor 7 equipped on sensor wearing part 41 andseparate from the device main body 40. The sensor ejecting mechanismincludes a pushing part and a drive motor. The pushing part pushes outan end of the biosensor from the inside to the outside of the devicemain body 40. The drive motor drives the pushing part. The sensorejecting part 41 a ejects, as pushing out, the biosensor 7 from thesensor wearing part 41 by controlling the drive motor, when thecontroller 37 instructs to eject the biosensor 7.

The lancet ejecting part 42 a includes a lancet ejecting mechanism whichpushes out the lancet device 8 being equipped on the lancet wearing part42, and which separates from the device main body 40. The lancetejecting mechanism includes a pushing part and a drive motor. Thepushing part pushes out an end of the lancet device 8 from the inside tothe outside of the device main body 40. The drive motor drives thepushing part. The lancet ejecting part 42 a ejects, as pushing out, thelancet device 8 from the lancet wearing part 42 by controlling the drivemotor, when the controller 37 instructs to eject the lancet device 8.

Because of these configurations, the next process is added to flow chartas FIG. 6 shows.

At step S7, at the same time or after measuring the blood glucoseconcentration on the display section 2, instructing of removing thebiosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 is displayed. At this time, thedisplay section 2 encourages the user to input, by using the inputsection 3, the instruction of removing the biosensor 7 and the lancetdevice 8 the text and illustration.

Then, when the instruction of removing the biosensor 7 and the lancetdevice 8 from the input section 3 is input, the controller 37 instructsthe sensor ejecting part 41 a and the lancet ejecting part 42 a.

As mentioned above, instead of the user holding and pulling out thebiosensor 7 and lancet device 8 which have been used, the liquid samplemeasurement device automatically ejects. By this, it is possible todispose, without the user touching, the biosensor 7 and the lancetdevice 8 on which the blood is deposited.

The sensor ejecting part 41 a and the lancet ejecting part 42 a can beunitarily configured. The liquid sample measurement device ejects thebiosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 at the same time, when the useinstructs the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8. In this case, becauseequipping and ejecting the biosensor 7 are dominant, the lancet wearingdetecting section 6 a and confirming equipping the lancet in step S4 canbe omitted.

Third Embodiment

Next, the liquid sample measurement device shown as a third embodimentof the present invention by referring to the figures. The liquid samplemeasurement device of the third embodiment is different from the liquidsample measurement device of the first embodiment because of mechanismwhich ejects the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8. The sameconfiguration and movement as in the first embodiment is omitted byusing the same symbols

FIG. 8 is a view (front view) of the liquid sample measurement device ofthe present embodiment. Also, a block diagram of the liquid samplemeasurement device is shown in FIG. 9. The liquid sample measurementdevice is different from the liquid sample measurement device shown inFIGS. 1A to 1C because an ejecting lever 44 which the user operates isconfigured on a lower side of the device main body 43.

The ejecting lever 44 is slid by the user in a longitudinal direction ofthe device main body 43. A sensor ejecting member 45 a and the lancetejecting member 46 a are connected to the rejecting lever 44. The sensorejecting member 45 a pushes out the biosensor 7 on the sensor wearingpart 45. The lancet ejecting member 46 a pushes out the lancet device 8on the lancet wearing part 46. Therefore, when the user slides theejecting lever 44, the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 are ejectedfrom the device main body 43.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that shows the movement of the liquid samplemeasurement device of the present embodiment.

At step S12, the liquid sample measurement device starts measuring theblood glucose concentration. The step is same as step S1 in FIG. 6.

At step S13, the controller 37 performs the identification process forvarious identification. The step is same as step S2 in FIG. 6.

At step S14, the controller 37 confirms whether or not the biosensor 7is equipped. The step is same as step S3 in FIG. 6.

At step S15, the controller 37 starts holding measuring the bloodglucose concentration. The step is almost same as step S5 in FIG. 6. Inthis regards, the display section 2 is only different for displaying theinstruction of depositing the blood on the biosensor 7.

Step S16 is a step for measuring the blood glucose concentration. Thestep is same as step S6 in FIG. 6.

At step S17, the controller 37 makes the display section 2 display theblood glucose concentration being measured, and display the disposal byoperating the ejecting lever 44 to remove the biosensor 7.

Then, the liquid sample measurement device asks ejecting (removing) atsteps S18 and S19, after confirming that the biosensor 7 is ejected(removed). This is same as steps S8 and S9 in FIG. 6. As mentionedabove, the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8 are ejected at the sametime by operating the ejecting lever 44. Thus, when the biosensor 7 isdetected as being removed (ejected) on the basis of the signal of thesensor wearing detecting section 5 b, the controller 37 assumes thatlikewise the lancet device 8 is removed. Also, when the biosensor 7 isdetected as being removed on the basis of the signal of the lancetwearing detecting section 6 a, it is fine that the controller 37 assumesthat likewise the biosensor 7 is removed. Then, it proceeds to a nextprocess of step S20.

At step S20, the controller 37 records the result of measuring the bloodglucose concentration on the recording section 39. The step is same asstep S10 in FIG. 6.

At step S21, the chain of the process ends. The step is same as step S11in FIG. 6.

In this manner, unless the biosensor 7 and the lancet device 8, whichare the disposable elements, are removed, it works not proceeding to thenext measuring of the blood glucose concentration by watching theejection of the biosensor 7. Therefore, according to the liquid samplemeasurement device, it is possible to replace the elements on which theliquid sample such as the blood of the living subject is deposited.

As the device main body 1, 40, 43 can be equipped even though the shapeof the lancet device 8 is different from the one in FIGS. 4A and 4B, itis fine to include an adaptor between the lancet device 8 and the devicemain body 1, 40, 43. The adaptor is detachable to the device main body1, 40, 43, and is fine either being disposable after used one time orbeing usable for multiple times. Also, the adaptor can be a part of thecover which covers partially or entirely the device main body 1, 40, 43.For example, the cover covers at least the surface, on which the lancetdevice 8 is equipped, of the device main body 1, 40, 43. Also, an end ofthe cover can extend from the upper part of the input section 3 to theupper part of the display section 2. Further, the cover prevents fluidsuch as the blood from depositing directly on the device main body 1,40, 43.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a view showing the liquid sample measurement device of afourth embodiment. The liquid sample measurement device of the presentembodiment includes a puncturing needle cartridge 56 which is disposableand conventional, as the lancet device. The puncturing needle cartridge56 which is disposable is equipped to a device main body 51 instead ofthe lancet device which is disposable. Drive mechanism is equipped inthe device main body 51 for puncturing. It is different from the liquidsample measurement device of the first embodiment for these issues. Theelements of the present embodiment which constitute the liquid samplemeasurement device and which are not described are in the sameconfiguration and for the same movement described in the firstembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the liquid sample measurement device includes adisplay section 52 and an input section 53 on the front side of thedevice main body 51. Further, the liquid sample measurement deviceincludes a sensor wearing part 55 on which a biosensor 54 is equipped onthe side of the device main body 51, and a lancet wearing part 57 onwhich a puncturing needle cartridge 56 is equipped. Further, apuncturing depth adjusting part 58, a puncturing button 59, and anejecting lever 60 are configured on the other side of the device mainbody 51. The puncturing depth adjusting part 58 is mechanism whichadjusts depth of puncturing when puncturing is performed by using thepuncturing needle cartridge 56 equipped on the lancet wearing part 57.The puncturing button 59 is button mechanism for puncturing by using thepuncturing needle cartridge 56. The ejecting lever 60 includes mechanismwhich ejects at least the puncturing needle cartridge 56 from the lancetwearing part 57.

The configuration and the movement of the biosensor 54 and the sensorwearing part 55 are same as the biosensor 54 and the sensor wearing part5 shown in the first embodiment.

The puncturing needle cartridge 56 is, for example, the one disclosed inaforementioned Patent Literature 4. A simplified view of the puncturingneedle cartridge 56 is shown in FIG. 12A. As shown in Patent Literature4, a lancet main body 62 is embedded on the puncturing needle cartridge56 in a hollow part inside a puncturing needle holder 61. The lancetmain body 62 is slidable in the hollow part of the puncturing needleholder 61. A puncturing needle is configured (not shown in the figures)on a tip of the lancet main body 62. The puncturing needle sticks outfrom an opening part 64 configured on a skin contacting part 63 of thepuncturing needle holder 61 and performs puncturing against the skin.FIGS. 12A and 12B omit showing other configuration such as a protectivecap of the puncturing needle in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

FIG. 12B is a block diagram showing relationship between the lancetwearing part 57 on the device main body 51 and peripheral elements. Inthe lancet wearing part, a holder receiving part 65 and lancet main bodyreceiving part 66 are configured. The holder receiving part 65 holds thepuncturing needle holder 61 when the puncturing needle cartridge 56 isinserted. The lancet main body receiving part 66 sustains the lancetmain body. Further, the lancet wearing part 57 includes an ejecting part67 which is mechanism to eject the puncturing needle cartridge 56 fromthe lancet wearing part 57 by pushing out the puncturing needle holder61 sustained by the holder receiving part 65. Also, the lancet wearingpart 57 includes a drive unit 68 which is mechanism for puncturing bydriving the lancet main body 62 via lancet main body receiving part 66by operating the puncturing button 59. The drive unit 68 is arranged toadjust the depth of puncturing by changing sticking amount of thepuncturing needle by operating the puncturing depth adjusting part 58.

When the user inserts the puncturing needle cartridge 56 in the lancetwearing part 57, an end of the lancet main body 62 is in contact withthe lancet main body receiving part 66 and sustained. When the user keepinserting the puncturing needle cartridge 56, subsequently an end of thepuncturing needle holder 61 is in contact with the holder receiving part65 and sustained. From when the end of the lancet main body 62 issustained by the lancet main body receiving part 66 to when the end ofthe puncturing needle holder 61 is sustained by the holder receivingpart 65, the lancet main body receiving part 66 is pushed by receiving aforce from the user via the lancet main body 62.

A spring (not shown in the figures) configured on the drive unit 68 ischarged (compressed) by the movement of the lancet main body receivingpart 66 being pushed in. As a result, a drive force is stored in thedrive unit 68 and the preparation of puncturing is completed, when thepuncturing needle cartridge 56 is equipped on the lancet wearing part57.

Thereafter, when the user instructs to perform puncturing by pushing thepuncturing button 59, the drive unit 68 performs puncturing by drivingthe lancet main body 62 by the drive force stored.

When the user instructs to eject the puncturing needle cartridge 56 byoperating the ejecting lever 60, the ejecting part 67 works as pushingout the end of the puncturing needle holder 61 in order to release thesustention by the holder receiving part 65. In other words, thepuncturing needle cartridge 56 pushes out the puncturing needle holder61 in a direction towards outside from the device main body 51 which isopposite to the direction of inserting the puncturing needle cartridge56 to the lancet wearing part 57. At this time, the lancet main body 62is arranged to be pulled by the puncturing needle holder 61. Thesustention by the lancet main body receiving part 66 of the puncturingneedle holder 61, as the sustention by the holder receiving part 65 ofthe puncturing needle holder 61 is released.

In this manner, the liquid sample measurement device of the presentembodiment includes mechanism to drive the puncturing needle cartridge56. When puncturing by using the puncturing needle cartridge 56, theuser makes the skin contacting part 63 of the puncturing needlecartridge 56 in contact with the part for puncturing. The puncturingneedle cartridge 56 cannot be reused after puncturing one time. Thus,the liquid sample measurement device of the present embodiment preventsinfection due to the blood which is deposited because parts on which theblood is easily deposited are certainly replaced, each time after theblood glucose concentration is measured.

The sensor ejecting member 45 a can be configured on the sensor wearingpart 55 as shown in the third embodiment. When the user operates theejecting lever 60, not only the puncturing needle cartridge 56, but alsothe biosensor 54 is ejected by the sensor ejecting member 45 a, andseparated from the device main body 51. Here, the sensor ejecting member45 a works as pushing the end of the biosensor 54 towards outside of thedevice main body 51 m by synchronizing with the movement of the ejectinglever 60.

In all the embodiments described above, measuring the blood glucoseconcentration is described as an example, but not limited to it. Forexample, not only the blood glucose concentration, it is also fine aslong as measuring by the biosensor equipped on the apparatus, such asvalue of lactic acid or cholesterol, and not limited to the subjectperson.

Moreover, for the biosensor, it is not limited by the measuring method,but it is still fine as long as the biosensor is disposable, not onlythe electrochemical method, but also optical method and the like.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-283196(filed on Dec. 26, 2011) is incorporated herein by reference.

The aforementioned embodiment is an example of the present invention.For this, the present invention is not limited to the aforementionedembodiment, but can have different embodiments. Needless to say, it ispossible to make various modifications depending on the designs, as longas the modifications do not deviate from technical ideas of the presentinvention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The aforementioned liquid sample measurement device can be useful for aheath care monitoring apparatus, and the like, which measures bodyfluid.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A liquid sample measurement device to whicha biosensor may be removably attached, the biosensor having a bloodsample deposited on it created by a puncturing of a skin, the liquidsample measurement device comprising: a sensor port to which thebiosensor is removably attached; a measuring sensor configured tomeasure an amount of a substance in the blood sample by applying avoltage or a current to electrodes of the biosensor, and to produce afirst measurement indicating the measured amount of the substance in theblood sample; and a display configured to display the first measurement;a sensor detector configured to detect whether or not the biosensor isattached to the liquid sample measurement device; a memory configured torecord the first measurement; and a controller configured to control themeasuring sensor, wherein the controller receives a result of thedetection from the sensor detector after the measuring sensor producesthe first measurement, the controller controls the display tocontinuously display an instruction for removing the biosensor unless auser removes the biosensor from the liquid sample measurement device,and the controller prohibits recording the first measurement in thememory unless the user removes the biosensor from the liquid samplemeasurement device.
 2. The liquid sample measurement device according toclaim 1, wherein the controller inquires the sensor detector whether ornot the biosensor is removed after a prescribed period of time haselapsed.
 3. The liquid sample measurement device according to claim 1,further comprising: a user interface configured to accept user input ofinformation of the user and the biosensor, wherein the controllerprohibits the measuring sensor from measuring the amount of thesubstance in the blood sample unless the user input of information inputto the user interface is valid.